So Allen is now endorsing a different initiative backed by his GOP rival in the governor’s race, San Diego businessman John Cox – who gleefully jabbed Allen in a recent debate on KPCC.

“Travis, welcome to the fight on getting rid of the gas tax!“ Cox said. “Glad to have you on board, finally!”

Cox has joined the campaign for the second ballot measure and, as Allen was quick to point out a moment later in the debate, chipped in some money in exchange for being named campaign chairman.

“I’d like to say thank you very much to John Cox for writing a $250,000 check to buy his way into the repeal the gas tax,” Allen quipped.

Political shots aside, the second initiative does have some momentum. The campaign says it’s gathered more than two-thirds of the 585,407 signatures needed to qualify.

The measure would require voter approval for any gas tax or vehicle fee increases.

“And then it applies that constitutional mandate retroactively to January 1st of 2017, effectively repealing this particular gas tax and requiring that any increase in those taxes go back to the voters,” says Jon Coupal with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, one of the initiative’s other backers.

But if the measure qualifies for the November ballot, it’s expected to face strong opposition – including from Gov. Jerry Brown, who said he thinks it can be beaten.

“If it does pass, it’ll be a decade at least before anyone thinks of providing the necessary money for roads and bridges,” Brown said as he presented his budget proposal earlier this month.

Backers of the second initiative have until mid-May to turn in their voter signatures, but they’ll likely do so earlier to ensure the signatures are verified in time for the measure to make the November ballot.

Capitol Bureau Chief Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool – though not necessarily by choice. Now, he leads Capital Public Radio’s state Capitol coverage, which airs on NPR stations across California. Read Full Bio